Board Member Profiles

David J. Toland
Bonner Springs/Edwardsville USD 204
How long have you been a school board member? Six years.
Why did you decide to become a board member? I joined the USD 204 Board of Education in 2013. I grew up in Edwardsville and graduated from Bonner Springs High School in 1991. I am currently the Training Director for the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office, but the title I'm most proud to carry is Soccer Coach. I have coached the sport for the past 29 years and I'm even credited for starting the BSHS soccer program. During my childhood, my parents always stressed the importance...

Dave Pierce
Bonner Springs/Edwardsville USD 204
How long have you been a school board member? 18 years.
Why did you decide to become a school board member? Daughter/teacher in the district.
Who was an adult you looked up to when you were growing up? My math teacher, Gene Tibbetts, in Emporia.
Who was were favorite teacher and why? Gene Tibbetts. Great role model.
What do you do outside of being a board member? Sell insurance.
What experience do you bring to the table that will improve your local district? Been in business the past 41 years and ex-teacher/coach.
As a board member, what is the top goal...

Chris Perry
Baldwin City USD 348
How long have you been a school board member? Elected in November of 2017, started with the board in January of 2018.
Why did you decide to become a board member? I wanted to bring my diverse background in youth development and education to the Baldwin City School Board to better serve my local community.
Who was an adult you looked up to when you were growing up and why? It's an equal tie between my parents. My mother was an educator and great influence in charting my course through education and beyond, and my father was an attorney and school...

Christie Appelhanz
Seaman USD 345
How long have you been a school board member? Since 2014.
Why did you decide to become a board member? My dad served on the school board for 12 years while I was growing up. Conversations around the dinner table were always about how to make our good schools even better. I watched my dad make decisions that sometimes lost him customers at his business or caused people not to sit by him at baseball games. But it never stopped him from doing what he thought was right. I decided to be a school board member because...

Doug Minson
Wakeeney USD 208
How long have you been a school board member? Six years in prior terms, and first year this term.
Why did you decide to become a board member? To continue to advocate for kids and education and to give back to our community.
Who was an adult you looked up to when you were growing up and why? Glen Suppes, former principal of mine at Kinsley USD 347. He's now at Smoky Valley, I believe.
Who was your favorite teacher and why? John Davis, business instructor at USD 347. I always knew I wanted to go into Business Field...

Susan Schiffelbein
Baldwin City USD 348
How long have you been a school board member? One year
Why did you decide to become a board member? As a lifelong learner and educator, I always wanted to serve the field in any way that I was able. In my opinion, members of the board are community members who work to build the best system possible for families. Being part of this is an honor. Additionally, a couple of my colleagues had re-planted the seed and it became an organic unfold. When my youngest graduated from high school, a board member resigned, which created...

Karla Hagemeister
Manhattan-Ogden, USD 383
How long have you been a school board member? January 2018
Why did you decide to become a board member? I have always been a supporter of our local schools and of public education. I knew that at some point I wanted to step up and serve as a leader, but I worried that I didn’t know enough or that I would not live up to my own expectations of what was required. I also worried about not being home to be the parent I wanted to be for our two children. By 2017 I had shed those doubts...

John R. Williams
Topeka USD 501
How long have you been a school board member? Since July of 2013
Why did you decide to become a board member? Encouraged by a former and current board member, friends and members of our community to seek election to the Board of Education.
Who was an adult you looked up to when you were growing up and why? My mentors, Edward Powell and Willis Brown. Both pushed me to always do my best regardless of what it was.
Who was your favorite teacher and why? Mrs. Brace, fifth-grade teacher at Stowe Elementary. She taught me the value of always striving for excellence.
What...

Dear Kansas School Board Member:
One of the great features of Kansas public schools is that they are operated at the local level by you — local board members who are elected by local voters.
Kansas school board members, you are our neighbors, co-workers, friends and relatives. We can talk to you at the grocery store, at sporting events or other public venues.
But sometimes your long hours of work and commitment on behalf of our students isn’t recognized. KASB wants to give you an opportunity to let the public know who you are and what makes you so passionate about Kansas...